The Optical Laboratories Association (OLA)is an international business association founded in 1894 to serve the needs of the optical laboratory industry.
Provides forums for optical laboratories
Develops information and services for members for business improvement
Produces a variety of education and training materials for optical laboratories and eyecare professionals
Provides representation for labs
Provides the "Best Practices Tool Box"
OLA’s current members include 200 companies, representing 481 wholesale and retail laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and 7 other countries.
OLA produces Clear Choices - Your Eyes, Your Lenses, Your Choice (newly released), TheProgressive Identifier, the Indispensable Dispensing GUIDE, 2nd Edition (newly released), Chemical Management Manual, Optical Laboratory Training Courses (CD), ANSI Z80.1 Standard, Z80.1 Quick Reference Guides, Z87.1 Standard, and Hang Tags for safety eyewear. Members also receive, Technical, Legal, and Business bulletins for optical laboratories.
The association sponsors an international exposition and conference - "THE OLA" - The Premier Annual Event Exclusively for Optical Laboratories.
2011 OLA Award of Excellence Winners are Announced
“This year’s silver anniversary is not about celebrating a single year of great products; it’s about celebrating 25 years of products that have helped to shape the optical business as we know it,” said Jonathan Jacobs, OLA immediate past president.
Receiving awards (l to r): Bob Rymeski, Hilco; Jim Goerges, Precision Tool Technologies; Denny Hall, DAC Vision; Cindy Swain, Zyloware Eyewear; Johann van Zyl, Robert Lee, Younger Optics; Bob Schloemer, Uvex by Honeywell; Denis Pardun, Nouveau Eyewear; Manny Manso, BPI- Brain Power America; Kevin Paddy, Satisloh North America; Doug Hagen, Digital Vision Inc.; Ian Gregg, Satisloh North America
2011 OLA Directors' Choice Honoree (l-r): David Rick, KC Haffey, Dave Cuffe, Randy McFadden, John Leasure, Joe Vitale
(Former members include Scott Pennock, J.R. Smith and Doug Smith.)
Essilor IDD Technical Support Team For Outstanding Dedication and Service
to Improving Independent Optical Labs
What makes your eyeglasses special
What makes them special is that each pair of prescription glasses is unique and different from every other pair of prescription glasses. How is that possible? Because every pair of prescription glasses is made to your unique requirements – your “prescription” – your unique measurements: vision correction, shape and size of your eyes, shape of your face, and your preferences and choices for special lens features and frame styles. Your glasses are like custom-tailored clothes – unique to you!
Prescription glasses are made in “optical laboratories”. Contrary to the name, these “laboratories” do not use beakers and test tubes. But they do use the specifications and quality control of a high-tech laboratory. Optical laboratories specialize in producing custom-made, unique-for-your-prescription glasses for each individual order they receive. Optical laboratories supply those glasses to the eyecare professionals who serve you.
OLA Members are optical laboratories who have joined OLA to be sure they have the most up-to-date information about the best available technology to make your glasses – the lens features, the frame materials and styles, and the fabricating technology. Ask your eyecare professional if the lab they use is an OLA Member.
s them special is that each pair of prescription glasses is unique and different from every other pair of prescription glasses. How is that possible? Because every pair of prescription glasses is made to your unique requirements – your “prescription” – your unique measurements: vision correction, shape and size of your eyes, shape of your face, and your preferences and choices for special lens features and frame styles. Your glasses are like custom-tailored clothes – unique to you!